DFID Nigeria is recruiting Governance Advisers in Nigeria, February 2015
DFID Nigeria is recruiting Governance Advisers to
strengthen its governance advisory capacity. This post requires
individuals with competencies and a strong track record and evidence of
delivery in political and institutional analysis.
The candidate will
also need to demonstrate an ability to apply governance skills and
competencies in at least one sector i.e. service delivery, wealth
creation and private sector development or climate change. Further, the
candidate will also need experience in at least two of the following
areas: security, justice, rule of law and human rights; anti-corruption,
public financial management, public service reform, and accountable
government.
Job Title: Governance Adviser
1. DFID’s programme in Nigeria
DFID, the Department for International Development, leads
the British government’s fight against world poverty. Since its
creation, DFID has helped more than 250 million people lift themselves
from poverty and helped 40 million more children to go to primary
school. But there is still much to do. 1.4 billion people still live on
less than $1.25 a day. In Nigeria, DFID’s objective is to support
government and development partners at federal and state levels to
reduce poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
If the MDGs are not met in Nigeria they will not be met
in Africa. 102 million of Nigeria’s 158 million people live on less than
$1.25 a day and some states in northern Nigeria have among the worst
maternal mortality and girls’ primary school enrolment in the world. In
eight Northern states 80% of women cannot read. Yet Nigeria has the
potential to be an engine of economic growth and development across the
continent. That’s why Nigeria matters and is a key priority for DFID.
Overall, through its Operational Plan, DFID spends around £275
million/year in Nigeria.
Supporting Nigeria to improve governance is a key part of
DFID’s efforts to reduce poverty. Whether or not we succeed will depend
to a large extent on whether the public resources are managed well and
spent on areas that improve the lives of the poor. DFID Nigeria is
looking for a dynamic, energetic and skilful Governance Adviser to play a
major role in ensuring the success of our programmes in Nigeria.
The Governance Adviser will help oversee major Public
Sector Reform programmes in Nigeria. The post holder will also provide
technical analysis and advice across DFID’s major growth, governance and
human development portfolio. She/he will work to ensure DFID Nigeria
strategies, policies and programmes are informed by a robust analysis of
political and governance issues.
As part of the DFID Nigeria Governance and Social
development team the Governance Adviser will have a major role working
to influence DFID stakeholders across a broad range of policy and
programme issues through building strong relationships with key actors
in Nigeria.
We are looking for a strong candidate to be based in
Abuja but able to travel frequently including across DFID’s focal states
in the North.
2. Job description and duties & how DFID Governance Advisers work
Advisers are expected to not only advise others but to
directly use their excellent technical, analytical, communication and
strategic/political skills to scope, design and manage programmes, draft
advice and briefings for UK Ministers and senior officials and to
present analysis clearly and succinctly to external/ internal audiences.
You will be required to demonstrate knowledge and experience of the following technical competencies:
· Governance, Political and Institutional Analysis:
A thorough practical and theoretical understanding of governance
evidence, policy and practice in a range of settings. Ability to apply
political and institutional analysis and use this to influence strategic
planning and programming decisions.
· Support to Service Delivery, Wealth Creation and Private Sector Development, Climate Change:
Understanding of the underlying institutional and political dimensions
of service delivery, wealth creation/private sector development and
climate change. Ability to provide effective cross-cutting advice to
strategies and programmes in these areas.
Demonstrate good knowledge and results in two of the following:
· Security, Justice, Rule of law and Human rights:
Understand and experience of how security, justice, rule of law and
human rights contribute to development, and their impact on different
groups, particularly women. Knowledge of different legal systems,
including informal justice systems, in a range of contexts, including
fragile states.
· Public Sector Governance and Institutional Reform:
Knowledge of public sector governance and organisational and
institutional change processes. Ability to provide analytical, advisory
and programme support to public sector reform processes in a range of
different political contexts that contribute to the sustainable
improvement of public service delivery and an enabling environment for
growth
· Public Financial Management and Taxation:
Knowledge and experience of the role of public financial management and
taxation systems and their importance in development and state-building
processes. Ability to provide advice to DFID on fiduciary risk, develop
PFM and revenue programmes, and engage with government partners and
other donors in policy dialogue around these issues
· Corruption: Understanding of the
causes and effects of corruption and the implications for DFID policy
and practice. Ability to provide strategic advice, work with others in
HMG and internationally, and deliver programmes and strategies on
corruption.
· Political Systems and Accountable Governance:
Knowledge of political systems and of political settlements in
different settings; the relevance of transparency, empowerment and
accountability for development; and of the promotion and realisation of
human rights and of political inclusion. Ability to provide advice,
policy direction and programme leadership across these areas, working
with HMG, country and international partners.
The precise division of labour within the governance team
will depend on your background and experience in relation to other
Governance Advisers and office priorities at the time you take up the
post.
The Governance Adviser’s key responsibilities will include:
· Support the implementation and monitoring of key programmes in Public Sector Reform, working closely with other lead advisers.
· Play an active and effective role in relation to
Governance Team portfolio development, strategic planning and financial
and corporate management and responsibilities – e.g. play a central role
in designing, appraising and implementing new DFID Nigeria governance
programmes in line with Office priorities/plans.
· Contribute effectively to policy dialogue with the Federal and State Governments and civil society on governance issues.
· Provide timely and high-quality governance advice to
project planning across the office and provide cross-cutting governance
input to Human Development and Economic Growth teams more broadly.
· Provide advice and political analysis and reporting,
engaging closely with other parts of the British Government in Nigeria
particularly the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
· Contribute to strengthening DFID’s governance related
delivery and results in research, policy, knowledge networks, and
programmes.
· Work collaboratively to help the wider DFID Nigeria
team to achieve its objectives including providing cover and support to
other team members where the need arises.
· Cross-cutting advice to programme teams in DFID
Nigeria: Depending on your skills you will be responsible for providing
cross cutting political advice to programmes across the office – this
will include advice on, human rights, social structures and
accountability processes through inputs to the design and delivery of
those programmes. This will include interventions in health, education,
water and sanitation, economic growth and governance sectors. There are
also opportunities for leading DFID’s thinking and strategy in a range
of other areas.
Leading programmes will require the following attributes:
· Work closely with Programme Officers to ensure
effective financial management of these programmes (including
forecasting and wider corporate compliance around implementation).
· Ensure that these programmes are concluded effectively
and/or that any follow-on support is designed and planned appropriately.
3.Relevant job specific skills and technical competencies required
You will be required to meet the minimum standard of
accreditation to DFID’s professional groupings (known as professional
‘cadres’), as well as the generic core competencies. You should meet at
least ‘A2L’ standard against the Governance competencies. The minimum
standards for these professional groups are attached. DFID will welcome
candidates who exceed the ‘A2L’ requirements, including those meeting
‘A2’ requirements.
We are looking for someone with excellent political
awareness and judgment on sensitive governance matters and with very
strong communication (written and verbal) and influencing and
negotiating skills. You will need to be comfortable working on
governance issues with the Nigerian Federal and State governments and
international development agencies.
In particular, the following skills and experience will be required:
- Masters’ degree or equivalent level of academic and
professional experience in political science, international relations,
public administration, management, accounting or finance, law or
development studies.
- Evidence of:
- Expertise in political analysis;
- An ability to explain complex political issues in simple English to a range of audiences;
- Experience in influencing policies at senior levels;
- Experience of working with and influencing other bilateral and multilateral donors.
4.Key core competencies for this vacancy
As well as technical skills and behaviours all DFID staff
need to demonstrate core or generic competences. Full information on
DFID’s 10 core competencies framework is available on the recruitment
page of our website. For this vacancy candidates will be assessed
against 6 of these key core competencies as follows:
- Delivering Value for Money - Understand
impacts of financial position in own area and that of the organisation
and use insight to curtail or support business and investment
activities;
- Seeing the big picture– Anticipate economic, social, political, environmental and technological developments to keep activity relevant and targeted;
- Making effective decisions - Push
decision making to the right level within their teams, not allow
unnecessary bureaucracy and structure to suppress innovation and
delivery;
- Collaborating and partnering - Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on objectives and shared interests;
- Leading and communicating - Be visible
to staff and stakeholders and regularly undertake activities to engage
and build trust with people involved in area of work, and;
- Delivering at Pace - Get the best out of people by giving enthusiastic and encouraging messages about priorities, objectives and expectations.
5.Working Pattern
This post is full time, permanent, and not suitable for part time or job share applicants
Employment Terms: Permanent post, 35 hours per week
6.Remuneration
DFID offers a competitive salary and benefit package. The
current starting salary for this position (graded A2L or A2) per annum
is N9, 479,244 or N14, 218,742 respectively, inclusive of local taxes.
The successful candidates will be offered either grade depending on
their experience, qualifications and performance at the interviews.
How to Apply
- The successful candidate will be assessed
against the qualifications and experiences; technical; and behavioural
competencies, as outlined above.
- Your completed application form should be sent electronically to [email protected] by 12 noon on Friday 13th February 2015.Applications will not be accepted after this time.
- All enquiries should also be routed through the same email address.
- Interviews will be scheduled to take place within 3
weeks of the closing date. The successful candidate will be expected to
take up post as early as April 2015.
DFID Nigeria is an equal opportunities
employer. Applications are welcome from people regardless of age, race,
ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
The appointment will be under local terms and conditions and is subject
to medical and security clearances.
Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted and will be invited to join the next stage of the assessment process